On August 21, CREC helped hundreds of Hartford area children and families prepare for the new school year by holding a well-attended back-to-school block party.

The festivities took place at CREC Central, and CREC hosted the event with key sponsor Capital City Education Alliance (CCEA) along with Beta Sigma Lambda Educational Foundation, Mega Education, and Bomba 97.1 FM.

During the block party, free backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to eager children. Although CREC's supply of 650 backpacks ran out quickly, the agency kept a waiting list and is committed to giving a backpack to every child who attended, but did not get one during the event.

"It was a great event," said Aura Alvarado, CREC's director of communications and community relations. "There were lots of smiling kids and happy staff. It was much needed for our community."

Activities at the block party included free haircuts from Puerto Pelo, a local hair salon in Hartford. Cuadrado and one of her hairdressers provided 25 children with haircuts.

"I am committed to my community and make sure I give back as much as I can," said Mari Cuadrado, owner of Puerto Pelo. "Kids want to look good on the first day of school."

Other block party activities included a Zumba demonstration by Off the Wall Zumba; sand art from CREC's Birth to Three program; a puppet show sponsored by the Hispanic Health Council; and viewing of the Hartford Police Department's horses and Hummer vehicle. The Hartford Fire Department brought a fire truck to the event and gave out child-size fire helmets. Children received ice cream from Ice Cream for Dream when they said what they wanted to be when they grow up, and Covenant to Care gave away cuddly stuffed animals.

In addition, families were able to sign-up for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford and obtain a library card from the Hartford Public Library. The YMCA of Greater Hartford offered trivia and prizes; Spotlight Theatres gave out free popcorn; and there were games and prizes from the Capital Area Substance Abuse Council. Representatives from the City of Hartford's Youth and Recreation Department; Girl Scouts of Connecticut; Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters; and the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Connecticut also distributed information about local programs and services at the block party.

CREC has been an important part of the Greater Hartford community for nearly 50 years. It is preparing to celebrate half a century of caring and providing the best resources and tools for children and families, and the agency is launching its CREC Cares Fund, an employee-directed giving program that supports the needs of CREC community members who have experienced a catastrophic incident that has caused serious economic hardship. CREC community members include students, families, teachers, and staff.

This item was posted by a community contributor. To read more about community contributors, click here.